Case # K83-3518

It’s been a long time since I last posted something here. I have every intention of keeping this blog up and in fact I may be refocusing this blog just a tad.

In its previous incarnation, this blog has been a space to share representations, appropriations, mis-representations, and whole list of other topics related to Korean adoption. While I will continue to highlight these types of newsworthy items, I’m hoping to also add some source of entertainment as well.

Right now I’m working to figure out whether I should overhaul this site or maybe start fresh.

I’ll keep you all apprised as I move forward with this shift! Hope to see you all on the other side.

There are a lot of incredible anniversary celebrations this year. Arierang, AKF, AK Connection, and AAAW are all having anniversaries. I wish I could go to them all, but sadly I will have to choose. They all look great! -GS

Hi folks – I come to you with some alarming news. The Global Overseas Adoptees’ Link (GOA’L), a non-profit established by and for the adult Korean adoptee community in Seoul, Korea is temporary shutting its doors. Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare has withdrawn financial support for Birth Family Search Department, Staff, and Operating costs.

Despite this alarming news, GOA’L’s Secretary General, Mr. James Rosso vows that GOA’L will continue to provide services in some shape or form. Below is a letter from the Secretary General, followed by a summary of how this withdrawal of funding will affect the organization’s goals and operational services. To read the official statement issued by GOA’L please go to this link.

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2011-06-08 State of G.O.A.’L

It is with great disappointment and utmost urgency that I report the current state of G.O.A.’L which has remained the only adoptee non-profit and non-governmental organization in Korea since 1998. For many years G.O.A.’L has operated with the assistance and subsidies from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (보건복지부) for not only programs and services but also for staff. We also rely on corporation and company sponsorship, membership dues, fundraising and donations. G.O.A.’L has exceeded many people’s expectations and provided more with what little amount it receives compared to the other organizations.

Over the past few months the Ministry of Health and Welfare has gone through changes in funding processes, policies and overall direction when it comes to post adoption services here in Korea and abroad. During this time G.O.A.’L worked with the various adoption agencies as well as other adoptee related organizations to participate in defining what the Ministry should fund, how it should be funded, requiring surveys and evaluations on programs and services as well as allowing adoptees to be a part of the decision making process.

Recently the Ministry of Health and Welfare has decided to no longer support G.O.A.’L in certain areas like Birth Family Search, staff wages and certain programs and services. Unlike other organizations, G.O.A.’L does not have a consistent source of revenue to provide for its staff and operating costs. G.O.A.’L requires sufficient planning and notice to prepare for such changes but cannot continue to operate without this year’s subsidy. This was explained to the Ministry of Health and Welfare many times but they claim they cannot continue to support G.O.A.’L in these areas. Ironically funding and support will continue for things like events and program-based services.

As a result, effective immediately G.O.A.’L is forced to temporarily close its doors due to the lack of financial support and economic hardship. G.O.A.’L still believes in having an adoptee organization provide programs and services to adoptees, provide oversight and input to Korean government and adoption agencies, and be a voice on behalf of the community. In the coming days and weeks, G.O.A.’L will be meeting with its Board of Directors, key stakeholders and supporters. We ask for your continued support and understanding. G.O.A.’L will continue to serve the adoptee community in whatever capacity we can as it is our mission and responsibility. Further explanations will be posted on our website, blog, forum, Facebook, Twitter and other forms of communication.

If you are interested in helping G.O.A.’L, please contact me at sg@goal.or.kr or 010-4361-4783.

Before I jump into my links for this week, I want to draw attention to an interesting story that ABC news reported on recently. The story talks about price differentials for children of color vs white children. According to the story, “When a couple seeking to adopt a white baby is charged $35,000 and a couple seeking a black baby is charged $4,000, the image that comes to the Rev. Ken Hutcherson’s mind is of a practice that was outlawed in America nearly 150 years ago — the buying and selling of human beings.”

Of course there are justifications in this story that talk about how White children are in demand but are less available than children of color. Thus, in any exchange where money is involved in a capitalist nation, supply and demand begin to seep into business practice. I understand the rationale but it does not make this any less despicable in my eyes.

If you’re in Boston, check out this awesome new Korean Language Exchange Program piloted by Ms. Saebom Soohoo. Below is a message from her with additional information about the program

Hi all,
I started this program in February and now we’re coming on our second term. I’m really searching for some “American” guys to buddy up with Korean guys. By American I mean anyone who knows American culture, speaks English well, and has a genuine interest in Korean culture. It’s a great chance to practice your Korean, make a new friend, and learn about Korean life/culture. If you know of anyone please send them my way.

Korean & American Cultural Exchange Program (KACEL 케이셀) for Korean & American adults now taking applications for summer term!

KACEL 케이셀 is looking for fluent English-speakers aged 23 and older who’d like to befriend a Korean national new to the United States. KACEL gives the Korean buddy a chance to learn American culture and practice speaking English with a native speaker. You, in turn, learn about Korean life and culture and can practice speaking Korean.

Time commitment is 2-3 hours/week, or bi-weekly based on you and your buddy’s schedule, plus optional monthly group events that typically occur on weekends. To join you complete an online application and then, based on availability, are matched with a buddy with similar interests.

Visit kacel.wordpress.com to see if the program sounds right for you, and then email kacelboston@gmail.com for an application. (Say you heard about it through BPAC!) Our next term starts in June and will run till August/September.

I know it has been a long time since I regularly posted. My apologies. This MSW program has really consumed a lot of my time and energy. However, I do have some time this summer, so I am hoping to start posting more regularly. For now, I hope to post links to articles, events etc. on a weekly basis. Enjoy!

I have to admit, this NPR program is better than most I have heard on transracial adoption, but there are still some areas that could use some reframing. There are more adoptees’s voices being heard in this particular program, but it still felt like adoptive parents were the subject of the story, rather than adoptees themselves. I was happy to hear that one scholar and professor who was featured on the show, was herself an adoptee. Finally, although they asked for adoptee callers to call in, they were addressed as “children of adoptive families” either pointing to the fact that adoptees can never be separated from their familial ties, or the ever present notion that adoptees are perpetual children. Regardless, I would definitely recommend listening to this program.

This is unfortunately another story of adoption corruption in China. However, I think it is also important to not lose sight of How and Why Hunan province government officials engaged in illegal activities such as these. As many other human rights activists within the adoption community have reminded us, the demand created via intercountry adoptions has created a need to fulfill a supply of adoptable babies. This is not to diminish the need for reform and accountability in China’s adoption programs, but I do think it’s important to not take this article’s title at face value. As we all know, there are always more than just one institution to blame when these devastating instances occur.

“The underlying issue is we believe babies should be preferably raised in their mother country,” said Lee Kyung-eun, an official from the health ministry. “We also think it is a transition period to increase domestic and reduce international adoptions, and it is consequently producing undesirable results. But we will try our best to increase the overall adoption rate and help children find new homes here.”

For anyone interested in helping contribute to this awesome project, please contact Kristin aka Park Kyung Soon via her You Tube channel. This looks like an amazing project and I’m really looking forward to being a part of helping out in some way. If you’re an artist, musician, poet, please reply to this post so that we can consider you once the channel is up and running.

Here is a message about the new you tube channel:

hey guys-after a year of trying to figure out how to contribute to the adoptee community, i have finally decided to start a youtube channel dedicated to international adoptees.

my goal is to curate a site where fellow adoptees can post videos, interviews, poetry, music, short stories, etc. which explore adoption in a safe environment. my hope is to build an online adoptee community where we can archive our experiences so that future generations can have a greater understanding of our shared histories.

Over the years, KoreAm Journal has slowly begun to chronicle the lives of more and more Korean adoptees. I have found that very few Asian American magazines take the time to consider our stories as part of the Asian American diaspora. It seems that in the past several years, KoreAm Journal has made a commitment to highlighting at least one Korean adoptee per issue. This past issue highlighted several Korean adoptees. I will paste in a few article summaries, but I hope you’ll support KoreAm Journal by going directly to their website. Although, there is still much to be discussed about the ways in which adoptees are portrayed in articles such as these, it is no doubt a first step in raising awareness around issues affecting Korean adoptees.

Emile Mack may be the highest-ranking Asian American firefighter of a major American city, but what tends to surprise people most about the Los Angeles Deputy Fire Chief is his most unique background: At age 3, he was adopted by an African American couple. His is a story that challenges our notions of race and identity; it’s about the ties that bind and the gift of family.

For those of you unfamiliar with Also Known As, inc. (AKA), it is one the oldest adult Korean adoptee organizations in the U.S. and through out the world. For fifteen years AKA has provided adult adoptees in the New York City area with exciting and educational programs and events. At the end of April, AKA will celebrate their 15th year anniversary with a celebratory conference in NYC. The celebration will feature a conference focused on all issues related to Korean adoption and a number of great events as well.

I’m pleased to be a presenter at the conference, and hope that all of you adoptees out there will consider attending. Prices are going up steadily however. I was just recently alerted that their early bird rates will end this Thursday. So, if you would like to go, please take a look at their website: http://www.15thanniversary.alsoknownas.org/

Here is some additional information about the anniversary celebration from their most recent email newsletter.

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Don’t miss the Also-Known-As 15th Anniversary! REGISTER TODAY!

Many Faces, Many Lives: Celebrating the International Adoptee Community!

April 29 – May 1, 2011

We want to extend a warm invitation to all Also-Known-As members, families and friends to celebrate our 15th Anniversary with us from April 29, 2011 to May 1, 2011! For those from out of town, this is a great opportunity to see old friends and meet new ones while exploring New York City. For those of you who are in the area and may have been out of touch, there’s no better time than now to reconnect with Also-Known-As! For 15 years, Also-Known-As has provided services to international Adoptees, their families and friends, and we could not have continued to develop our diverse programs without your endless support. Please join us to celebrate all that we have accomplished!

Hotel AccommodationsWe are also happy to be able to offer a great rate at the Hotel Pennsylvania for those who are coming from out of town. The rates are $159/night for 1 Full Bed (1-2 People) and $189/night for 2 Full Beds (3-4 People). For those of you planning a longer stay,, rates will be available from April 24, 2011 to May 3, 2011 (5 days prior and 2 days following the 15th Anniversary). Hotel reservations can be made online by clicking here.

Interested in presenting at our conference?As an integral part of our Anniversary, we are calling for proposals from scholars, artists, activists, and other professionals who were adopted internationally or interracially for a one-day conference entitled, “Past, Present, and Future”. All intercountry, transnational, transracial, and international adoptees are encouraged to submit proposals for papers, presentations, performances and workshops. This will be a forum to showcase the breadth and depth of adoptee work and talent. For more information on proposals submissions, please contact Geanna Barlaam at gbarlaam@alsoknownas.org.

of the Korean Consulate General of New York!

Are you one of the many adoptees in NYC interested in learning Korean but not sure where to go?

Also-Known-As, Inc. is excited to announce that the Korean Education Center of the Korean Consulate General of NY will be offering Korean language classes for beginners-intermediates starting February 17, 2011! All students should have a basic knowledge of Hangul (Ability to read and write).

The Korean Education Center is sponsoring Korean Language Classes for Adoptees at the special rate of $100 for 12 classes.

The classes will be taught by Ji-Young Jung. She received a doctorate in Applied Linguistics from Teachers College, Columbia University. She has taught Korean, ESL (English as a Second Language) and French to students of all ages in a variety of educational settings.

As a native speaker of Korean, Ji-Young has personally found teaching her mother tongue fascinating and rewarding. She derives great satisfaction in helping her students gain an understanding of and appreciation for the beliefs and values held by Korean people and expressed in the Korean language.

She says, I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to help members of Also-Known-As, Inc. experience Korean culture and language, and I am happy to be a cultural interpreter for them

All registrations and payments must be received no later than Tuesday, February 15, 2011, as we will need to know the attendance in advance to ensure that space is reserved and enough materials are prepared.

Class seats are available on a first come first serve basis, and are only secured once payment has been received, so please register now to secure your spot(s)!

Join the MinKwon Center for Community Action for Lunar New Year!!!

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Dear Friends,

We are very excited to announce MinKwon Center’s 2011 Lunar New Year event – “Jishin BalbKi” (지신밟기)! You are cordially invited to join us in this traditional Korean folk celebration which ignites the beginning of a new year of hope, good fortune, and a strong sense of unity within our New York City communities.

Please mark your calendars and we hope you can join us in this celebration!

Here is another case of an adoptee whose parents never naturalized her and who now faces deportation based on a felony conviction. As many of you are familiar, immigration law dictates that anyone convicted of a felony who is not a citizen can face deportation hearings. For adoptees, this is an all too familiar story. Prior to 2001, transnational adoptees had to be naturalized by their adoptive parents. If their adoptive parents did not, many were forced to retain a green card, some, never had the opportunity to apply for citizenship as adults, and some didn’t even know about their status until they were adults.

This raises two interesting discussions. First, it highlights how transnational adoptees are immigrants. For instance, where does this politically situate the adoptee within current discussions on immigration? Second, it makes you wonder what one would do if they were deported to their birth country of which they knew nothing about, and could not speak the language. This is precisely what this adoptee is now faced with.

Even the Korean government acknowledges this striking human condition and ask for amnesty allowing for her to stay in the U.S. since she does not speak Korean, nor does she have any connections her birth country. For more discussion regarding this issue, I invite you to check out another blog which chronicles these such stories.

My sister sent me an article detailing a recent statement issued by Maine’s governor LePage. For the full article, please go to the New York Times’ link by clicking here.

The NAACP invited governor LePage multiple times to the Martin Luther King Jr. day celebrations set to kick off on Monday in Bangor, Maine. Citing several other engagements that day, stated that he would not be attending. Let’s take a look at what he had to say.

“He also said the N.A.A.C.P. officials should “look at my family picture,” pointing out that he has an adopted son who is black.

“My son happens to be black, so they can do whatever they’d like about it,” he told a reporter for WGME-TV. “The fact of the matter is there’s only so many hours in a day, so many hours in a week, and so much that you can do.””

His first remark is strikingly familiar. How many times have you heard someone respond to claims that they are racist with the phrase, “But I have Black friends.” Not only did he stoop to this level, but he did so off the back of his transracially adopted African American son.

But wait, it gets better…

After being criticized for ignoring the NAACP, the governor said:

““Tell them to kiss my butt,” adding, “If they want to play the race card, come to dinner; my son will talk to them.””

Not only does the governor show a blatant lack of respect to the NAACP, but he once again attempts to claim innocence through is son.

But wait, surely those in his office will attempt to right the ship after his biting words…

“Mr. LePage’s spokesman, Dan Demeritt, later released a statement reiterating that the governor’s decision about the events was not about race. “This is about a special interest group taking issue with the governor for not making time for them,” the statement said, “and the governor dismissing their complaints in the direct manner people have come to expect from Paul LePage.””

LePage’s office dismisses his behavior as not being based on race…and yet somehow he has made it about race by tokenizing his Black son and attempting to use him as a “get-out-of-jail-free” card from this coming week’s MLK jr. day celebrations.

It’s incredibly disheartening to hear such blatant disregard for the NAACP and the legacy of MLK jr., and disturbing to witness an adoptive parent attempt to dodge responsibility shifting it onto his son. There is really so much more to say about this, but I will leave that up to my readers to comment. Happy Reading! -GS